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No7 vs MAC

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

No7 and MAC are trusted beauty brands, with the British pioneer founded in 1935 and the Canadian label established in 1984. The former offers serums, eye products, moisturizers, sunscreens, and more, built around vitamin c, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, while the latter is beloved for its thoughtful approach to daily skincare, offering reliable moisturizers and makeup removers crafted from carefully balanced formulas. The heritage brand fits dry skin and mature skin best with ingredients like shea butter that protect skin and mitigate erythema, whereas MAC suits balanced skin best, supported by gentle and effective ingredients. Ultimately, these selections differ through the specific origins, targeted active ingredients, and ideal skin types that define each collection.

No7 is a British skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by Sycamore Partners since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.comen.wikipedia.org

MAC is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 1984 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 1994.

elcompanies.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular No7 and MAC products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular No7 vs MAC products

People Say

No7MAC
  • Hydration and radiance Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Absorbs in a snap — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and supple, never tight. — MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil”
    • “Skin feels moisturized — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
  • Makeup compatibility Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “Sits beautifully under makeup — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “Wears well under makeup — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Skin feel and texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin feels softer — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “skin feels so soft — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
    • “skin feels velvety — No7 Pure Retinol”
  • Radiance and glow Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lit-from-within look — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “healthier glow — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
  • Gentle formula and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “zero irritation — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
    • “soothing on skin — No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream”
    • “good for sensitive skin — No7 Pure Retinol”
    • “Does not cause breakouts — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Instant smoothing Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Reduces appearance of pores — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
  • Price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for amount provided — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “too expensive — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Lack of results Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Don't expect miracles — MAC Mineralize Timecheck Lotion”
    • “No change in wrinkles/spots — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
  • Fragrance and scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too much fragrance — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream”
    • “overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream”
    • “Scent is overpowering — No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream”
    • “scent is overpowering — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
  • Skin reactions and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused acne — MAC Hyper Real Serumizer”
    • “burned my skin — No7 Pure Retinol”

Questions and answers

No7 or MAC: which is better?

No7 offers better results for skin feel and texture, gentle formulas, and lower pricing, whereas MAC performs better for hydration, radiance, makeup compatibility, and instant smoothing. Reviewers note that No7 is a better fit for dry, mature, and dry sensitive skin types.

What is the difference between No7 and MAC?

No7 offers a wider range of products featuring key ingredients like retinol and niacinamide, which helps with anti-aging and skin texture, whereas MAC focuses on lightweight moisturizers and makeup preparation. No7 does better for gentle formulas and irritation, while MAC performs better for hydration and radiance.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

No7 or MAC: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, No7 features options like Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream with a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, whereas MAC offers lightweight moisturizers with higher price points and strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, No7 or MAC?

No7 is more affordable than MAC, as high price point is a widely reported drawback for MAC while No7 does better on price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, No7 or MAC?

No7 offers significantly more fragrance-free products on this page than MAC, with ten out of its thirteen items listing no fragrance. In contrast, all three MAC products on this page include fragrance.

When was No7 founded compared to MAC?

No7 was founded in 1935 in the United Kingdom, whereas MAC was established later in 1984 in Canada.

Which products are suggested in the No7 dry skin routine?

The products on this page suggested in the No7 dry skin routine include the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, First Spray Serum, Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream, Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream, Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum, and Vita Essential Mask.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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